Maymont Invites Community to Share Favorite "Maymont Moments" to Mark 100th Anniversary as a Public Park

 

Richmond, Virginia – Maymont is inviting the community to share their favorite “Maymont Moments” as the park prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary as a public space.

In 1926, Maymont opened its gates as a public park and museum. With gorgeous gardens, a nature center and farm animals, and a mansion full of beautiful furnishings, Maymont has become a favorite place for Richmonders to learn, explore and celebrate life’s meaningful moments.

“Maymont is for all of us, and we want to ensure that Maymont and its stories are preserved for the next 100 years and beyond. It’s a common ground for everyone in the community,” said Parke Richeson, Maymont President and CEO.

Maymont’s Historic Resources department is gathering as many Maymont moments as possible, from 1926 to today, to help preserve and tell the story of this special place and the role it has played for the community. Everyone is welcome to be a part of a new oral history campaign by sharing their memories of Maymont with an easy-to-use oral history portal, accessible any time, any place, by smart phone or computer.

“Nearly everybody who has lived in the Richmond area has a Maymont story,” said Kathy Garrett-Cox, Maymont Curator and Director of Historic Resources & Collections. “We want to collect them all, including your family memories and photos at the park — no story is too brief or too long, ordinary or unique. All these stories add up to tell Maymont’s story as a shared public treasure.”

It’s easy to share a recollection by visiting Maymont.org/moments and submitting text, photos or a simple video recording of someone telling a story. If someone has multiple stories to share, they are welcome to visit the portal again and again.

The stories gathered will become a part of Maymont’s archives and may be used for research or promotion in support of the 100^th anniversary celebrations in 2026.

About Maymont

Maymont, located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, is a well-preserved 100 acres where all are welcome to connect with history, nature, wildlife and each other. Built as a Gilded Age estate overlooking the James River, Maymont opened to the public in 1926 and today offers free admission to explore its miles of walking paths through rolling hills, beautiful landscaped gardens, a petting farm and the Virginia Wildlife Trail with habitats for rescued native animals. In addition, Maymont offers guided and self-guided tours of the 1893 Maymont Mansion*, historic estate buildings and gardens, plus the immersive “Run of the River” experience highlighting the remarkable ecology of the James River in The Robins Nature Center. Since 1975, the nonprofit Maymont Foundation has been entrusted to care for this unique place, galvanizing community support around its mission to delight, educate and inspire all who visit. Maymont annually welcomes over 800,000 guests and is consistently ranked among the region’s top attractions by travelers and locals alike.

*The Mansion is currently closed for a roof restoration project, and portions of the Virginia Wildlife Trail are undergoing an enhancement and expansion project. Learn more here.

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Note to editors: Images are available upon request to press@maymont.org.